"Enough, Mei Weixuan, if you continue to babble, get out of here."
The teacher Yin sitting in the center roared angrily, and Mei Weixuan stopped speaking, but signaled to Zhong Lin with his eyes.
Teacher Yin made a gesture in the air, and the painting in Zhong Lin’s hand was drawn into his hand by an invisible force.
Zhong Lin’s pupils contracted, and he screamed internally.
"True Qi? Inner strength? Is this elder an Upper Third Grade martial artist?"
Zhong Lin had already condensed his Qi-Blood, knowing that it couldn’t achieve such a miraculous feat, so the person in front of him must be an Upper Third Grade powerhouse.
"Truly lifelike, vivid, I never expected such advanced painting skills in this small Black Mountain County," Teacher Yin praised.
"Thank you for your compliment, sir."
Zhong Lin hurriedly bowed, especially after witnessing the elder’s strength.
"Send someone swiftly to deliver this painting and the letter to the Hundred Herbs Hall without delay."
Chief Mei respectfully took the painting and the prepared letter and quickly left the main hall while signaling the constable to take Xu Ruo away.
Zhong Lin also respectfully said, "I shall take my leave."
Teacher Yin looked Zhong Lin up and down, finally resting his gaze on Zhong Lin’s hands, his tone somewhat eager.
"Besides portraits, can you paint flowers and plants?"
Zhong Lin noticed the change in Teacher Yin’s tone. Although he didn’t know what Teacher Yin was planning, he nodded and said, "Certainly."
"Could you demonstrate for this old man?"
Zhong Lin nodded and returned to his desk. He scanned the main hall and finally rested his gaze on an orchid in the corner.
"Then I’ll paint this orchid!"
After examining the orchid, he picked up the brush and swiftly moved it across the rice paper.
In less than an incense stick’s time, the image of the orchid appeared vividly on the paper, and this time Zhong Lin even added color to it.
Unlike the earlier flat portrait, in the sunlight, the orchid seemed to grow on the rice paper, becoming more than just a painting.
The other three in the room were all stunned, especially the woman who instinctively stood up and reached out to grab the painting.
The painting remained a painting, not a physical object, and the orchid couldn’t be grasped.
"Amazing, what painting skill is this?"
The woman’s voice was extremely gentle, like spring water flowing down from an iceberg, cool yet pleasing to the ear.
"I call it three-dimensional painting."
"Did you create it yourself?"
Three-dimensional painting was something brought over from the past life, never seen in this world. To say it was self-created was not an exaggeration.
The woman nodded and turned to say, "Teacher Yin, this person is indeed qualified to paint your cherished work."
Teacher Yin once again drew the orchid painting into his hand, examined it carefully, and became more pleased with it the more he looked.
"Haha, good, good, good. You’re called Zhong Lin? Would you be willing to go with me to Tianyang County and paint for me?"
Zhong Lin took a deep breath and respectfully said, "Zhong Lin is willing."
He didn’t dare refuse!
A martial arts expert of the Upper Third Grades, and a person who commanded the respect of Black Mountain County’s authorities — how could Zhong Lin refuse?
"Good, go back and prepare. In three days, come with me to Tianyang County."
"Weixuan, see him off."
"May I ask your name, sir?" Zhong Lin asked curiously.
"Mei? Then the Chief Mei..."
"That’s my second uncle," Mei Weixuan said brazenly, then curiously added, "Brother Zhong, your painting skills are impressive, and you haven’t yet told me your fee?"
Zhong Lin’s mouth twitched, wondering why he still remembered.
"It depends, at least five taels, with no upper limit."
"What do you mean? Charging based on the person?"
"Not exactly. If it’s just regular painting, then it’s five taels. If you want it to be more beautiful, the price is negotiable," Zhong Lin explained.
PS Photo retouching naturally has a different price.
Mei Weixuan raised an eyebrow.
"You can do that? Well, everyone loves beauty; who wouldn’t want to look better, at least in the painting? Brother Zhong, if you took this to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, you’d surely become a guest of honor, not only not paying for the ladies but probably even getting money back!"
The admiration on Mei Weixuan’s face was almost overflowing.
"Damn, are you seriously not charging anything?"
"I’m embarrassed, embarrassed."
Zhong Lin feigned shyness.
At this moment, Mei Weixuan’s eyes turned red, as if he wished to trade places.
He thought that avoiding payment at a brothel was something only found in stories; he hadn’t expected to encounter it in reality.
"Let’s go, brother, let me witness it."
With that, he pulled Zhong Lin and walked out. The force of his grip made Zhong Lin stagger, clearly showing he was also a martial artist.
"Where are we going?"
"That makes it even more exciting."
Soon, their figures appeared at the Nuoxiang Building.
"Oh! Master Zhong comes early! Please sit down, I’ll have someone call Fuxiang out right away."
The madam of the Nuoxiang Building was still drowsy, clearly not having finished her rest, forcing herself to talk to Zhong Lin with energy.
"No rush," Zhong Lin said, taking a piece of silver from his pocket and handing it over, "Send someone to order good dishes from the Shiding Building."
"Alright! Please wait a moment."
With that, the madam swayed her ample hips down the stairs, ordering someone to quickly bring tea.
Mei Weixuan stood aside, surveying the entire Nuoxiang Building, commenting, "Compared to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, it’s far inferior, but this madam still holds some charm, and that butt is enough to pinch water out of it."
"It’s just a small county, how can it compare to the prosperity of Tianyang County? Please bear with it, Brother Mei, and once we’re in Tianyang County, you’ll lead the way, and I’ll treat you," Zhong Lin said with a smile.
"How can that be? Once on my turf, I should treat you. Brother Zhong, let me tell you! Not to underestimate this Nuoxiang Building, but brothels have always had a hierarchy in naming, and the name ’Nuoxiang Building’ doesn’t sound impressive. Once we reach the county, I’ll show you what is truly heaven on earth."
"Hierarchy? Do tell."
Mei Weixuan chuckled, "Brothels have always been named in a hierarchical fashion. The first and second grades mainly use ’Courtyard,’ ’Pavilion,’ ’Court,’ while the third and fourth grades use ’Room,’ ’Class,’ ’Building,’ ’Shop,’ or ’Lodging.’ Take the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, for instance; the girls inside also have different levels, such as Qing Guan, Dajia, as well as popular ones, Oiran, female calligraphers, musicians—far beyond common establishments in elegance."
Seeing Zhong Lin’s confused look, Mei Weixuan became enthusiastic. After all, everyone has a hidden trait of loving to teach.
"Qing Guan refers to those who sell art but not themselves. Dajia are renowned courtesans or dancers known for their beauty and talent. I don’t need to explain Oiran, do I? Popular ones are attractive, well-received by guests, usually skilled, both selling art and themselves. Female calligraphers are courtesans exceptionally talented, versed in poetry and calligraphy..."